Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor binding sites in platelets of patients with panic disorder associated to separation anxiety symptoms

Abstract

Patients with SA symptoms had significantly lower densities of PBRs. PBR expression might become a useful biological marker of these two associated conditions.

Reductions in Platelet 18-kDa Translocator Protein Density Are Associated with Adult Separation Anxiety in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

“…These results are consistent with those of 2 previous independent studies, in which a significant association between TSPO and adult separation anxiety was found [15,16] . Our results are also in line with data from our genetic studies, in which we demonstrated that the polymorphism 439G ] A of the TSPO gene was associated with adult separation anxiety in a cohort of bipolar patients [26] .…”

“…In 2 previous independent studies, we investigated the relationship between the expression of TSPO and the presence and severity of adult separation anxiety in patients with depression or panic disorder [15,16] . In both patient groups, platelet TSPO density was reduced with respect to healthy controls, and such reductions were strongly related to the presence and severity of separation anxiety symptoms.…”

“…All patients and healthy controls were assessed with the SCID-I for principal diagnosis and for the presence of axis I comorbidity [18] . Separation anxiety symptoms were evaluated in each subject by 3 instruments described in detail previously [15] , namely the Structured Clinical Interview for Separation Anxiety Symptoms (childhood section, SCI-SAS-C, and adult section, SCI-SAS-A) [19] , the Separation Anxiety Symptoms Inventory (SASI) [20] and the Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA-27) [21] . Childhood separation anxiety symptoms were retrospectively evaluated.…”

“…To determine TSPO equilibrium binding parameters, [ 3 H]PK 11195 binding assays were performed on each platelet membrane preparation, as previously described [15] . Briefly, aliquots of platelet membrane suspensions (50-100 g protein) were incubated with increasing concentrations (0.5-20 n M ) of [ 3 H]PK 11195 (Perkin-Elmer, USA; specific activity: 83.5 Ci/m mol ) in a final volume of 500 l of Tris-HCl 50 m M , pH 7.4 (assay buffer), for 90 min at 0 ° C. The nonspecific binding was determined in the presence of 1 M PK 11195.…”

Testicular Translocator Protein Expression is Differentially Altered by Synthetic Cannabinoid HU210 in Adult and Adolescent Rats

“…Further, HU210 produces a persistent enhancement of emotional responses to novel environments following withdrawal [57]. In animal models, chronic stress such as inescapable shock and swim stress alters TSPO expression in a variety of organs, in particular the kidney [58][59][60], while in humans, anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder alters TSPO expression in various blood cells including platelets and monocytes [61][62][63]. To assess whether the anxiogenic properties of HU210 produced changes in TSPO expression similar to that of chronic stress or anxiety disorders, we examined the spleen as it is known to contain a large reservoir of platelets and monocytes [64,65], the kidney and liver tissues.…”